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Knudson: New Orleans Bowl Preview - See Ronnie Run

Dec. 15, 2011
Mark Knudson

Was Rocky Long serious when he spoke about not being sure his San Diego State team was going to get a bowl bid? Maybe it was a motivational ploy or something, but there was never a doubt that the Aztecs would be playing a post season game. A solid, if not spectacular 8-4 season was more than enough to get them a December trip to the Big Easy.
 
No, it’s not the Sugar Bowl, but it’s pretty nice to get a trip to Nawlins’ as a reward for a good season. In the New Orleans Bowl, the Aztecs will face Louisiana Lafayette of the Sun Belt Conference.
 
This game could gain some national exposure for the most under publicized star running back in the country, SDSU’s sensational Ronnie Hillman. Hillman finished the regular season as the third leading rusher in the country, racking up more than 1650 yards and an average of 138 per game. Even playing with the effects of a high ankle sprain, he rolled up 370 of those yards in the final two games.
 
Hillman will be running against a defense that’s ranked 83rd in the country. Expect him to get some big yards. The Aztecs bigger concern is whether or not they can get some production for the wide receiver position and can they convert placekicks when needed.
 
Ryan Lindley didn’t have the big numbers as a senior that he had other years, but that was more due to who was (not) catching the ball rather than how he was throwing it. Still, he set school records for completions, career yards and passing touchdowns. He remains a potent weapon and a future pro. Don Coryell would be proud.
 
The Ragin’ Cajuns are sort of new to this bowl thing, coming off a losing season before improving to 8-4 this year. They can roll up some points themselves, averaging better than 30 per game. This will essentially be a home game for them, but other than that advantage, it could be a long night. The only two big schools that ULL faced this season, Oklahoma State and Arizona, plowed them by a combined 106-71. Those games were bookends for what was otherwise a very nice season.
 
Both teams are on the plus side of the turnover margin ledger, but just barely. The Cajuns are 55th nationally, just a plus one. SDSU meanwhile, is plus 11 to rank 11th nationally.
 
A lot of Hillman and a nice night from Lindley send this group of seniors out on a high note.
 
The forecast:
San Diego State 34, Louisiana-Lafayette 24